David's winter of discontent

The latest 3News/Reid Research poll came out last night. It was hidden somewhat by the drama of yesterday's earthquake affecting central New Zealand. But the result is nonetheless an aftershock for David Shearer who has already been put on notice by his caucus due to poor poll results.

Here's how Patrick Gower called it:

The Labour Party's internal troubles have seen it drop again in the latest 3 News/Reid Research poll, with Prime Minister John Key and National clear winners and able to govern alone.

Labour's so-called "man-ban" got leader David Shearer plenty of attention, for all the wrong reasons.

And it's got Labour going the wrong way on this poll – down, a drop of 2.1 percent.

"It's a wake up call for us," says Mr Shearer. "People want us to be focussed on them and not on Labour Party internal matters."

"The Labour Party is focussed on the Labour Party and National is focussed on the country," says Mr Key.

There have been questions about Mr Shearer's leadership. One Labour MP told 3 News Mr Shearer has until spring, two months, to improve the polls or he could be gone by the end of year.

Gower also described this poll as David Shearer's "winter of discontent", and the timing couldn't be worse. Labour MP's congregate in Napier later today for a caucus retreat, and it's highly likely that even if Mr Shearer's leadership isn't being discussed at the retreat itself, it'll certainly be the topic of discussion in informal meetings in smoke-filled rooms.